Four-way valve mechanism



1/EVANS 2,182,982

FOUR-WAY VALVE uEcHANsu Filed oct. 3o, 1957 Dec. 12, 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TJB V O A ttor ne y Patented Dec. 12, 1939 FOUR-WAY VALVE MECHANISM John Evans, Indiana Harbor. Ind. .Application October 30, 1937., Serial No. 171,865

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in four' way valve mechanism. and it more especially consists of the features pointed out inthe annexed claims. l

The purpose of my invention is to provide a single valve mechanism that may be -used to produce six separate functions according to different positions when rocked on its axis, moved Ilengthwise of the axis or combinations ot such positional changes.

It is also a purpose of my invention to adapt my four-way valve to effectively and deilnitely control variable positions of any mechanism., through liquid or air pressure, that may need to be moved variably in one direction and at the same time be positively and reciprocally op-- posed so as to hold the mechanism such as a single bar in an infinite number of positions between the extremes of its traverse. 'As an ex- 'ample or instance of adaptation one may assume a bar having a piston at each end and a separate cylinder for each piston. The center ofthe bar 'or at a point midway of its ends has a lateral projection adapted to be connected to any mechanism which must be variably controlled without any wavering whatever.

The interaction of the cylinders under the control of my four-way valve is such that as the pressure in one moves the piston outward the pressure in the other one is reciprocally opposed to positively hold the bar, slowly moving, rapidly moving or at rest at any point between the extremes of its to and fro movement. Whether the bar moves slowly or fastly or is standing still it is always held by a reciprocal presure or force at each end. As the force in onecylinder is increasing the opposing force in the other cylinder is correspondingly decreasing. If the bar is to remain stationary at any point the pressure in the cylinders is always, reciprocal. In this way, regardless of the work that the projection from the bar must do the bar is, as stated above, held Aunder absolute control at all times. y

An alternative to the projection from the bar would be if the bar simulated a toothed rack whiolymeshed with -a pinion that was connected to a shaft which should be moved around its axis in an oscillatory manner or be held at rest.

With these and other ends in view I illustrate such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broad underlying features of the invention without limiting myself to the specific details shown thereon and described herein.

Fig. l, sheet '1, is a diagrammatic view showing my control associated with a pair of cylin-y (Cl. 121-465) v ders and a lever connection to the piston rod which connects lthe pistons in the cylinders.

Fig.l2 is a similar diagrammatic view toFig. `1 showing a. rack and pinion adaptation.` l f Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, partly =in sec--v tion, showing the valve in its mid or neutral position, when the pistons are central their cyl-l inders.

F18. 4 is a tion, extreme right endposition within its casing.

Fig. 5 is also a diagrammatic view. lpartly in section, showing the valve in its extreme right diagrammatic view, partly in secsimilar to Fig. 3 showing the valve in the.

hand end position and turned on its axis from 15 the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.r I

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation, of f the valve of Figs. 8 'and 4 moved to its extreme left hand end position.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view.' partly in section, of the Fig. 5 valve, but shifted to the left hand end ot the casing.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view.

and turned on itsy axis axial position and 90 fromthe Fig. l axial position.

Fig. 9, sheet 2, is a side elevation of my fourway valve with its operating lever etc.

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view, in section, oi the valve inv its casing in the same mid-position as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 the end cap of the casing removed.

Fig. 13 is a top pian view of the valve ofv Fig. 11 moved to the extreme right. i

Fig. 14 is a top plan view in section showing the valve of Fig. 13 turned 90 on its axis.

, partly in sec-v tion, showing the' valve of Fig. 7 in mid-position away from the Fig. 7

1s a. lea hand end view 01mg., 11, with Fig. 15 is an end elevation, partly in section,

on line It-IB of Fig. 14.-

Fig. '16 is a top plan view, in section. with the valve in mid-position similar to Fig. r l, but turned 90 on its axis.

Fig. 17 is an endview,'partly in sectionon7 view of the valve rethe axial relation as for the exhaust casing openings.

view of a large closure Fig. 22 is a bottom plan view of a small closure for the openings of the casing leading to the cylinders.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged elevation of the control for positioning the valve endwise and in rotation on its axis.

Fig. 24 is an end elevation of the valve positioning sleeve of Fig. 23.

Fig. is a perspective view of the valve and partially dissembled parts.

In practicing my invention I may use whatever alternatives or equivalents of construction that the exigencies of varying conditions may require without departing from the broad spirit of the invention.

Two adaptations are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A pair of cylinders 45 and 45 are placed in axial alignment. In the cylinders, pistons 41 are located. These pistons are connected by piston rods 43 or 52 so that they always move together as a unit. The piston rods 48v and 52 may be connected toany desiredV mechanism, the movements of which are to be variably and positively controlled. In Fig. 1 the rod 48 has a projection 49 to .which a link 50 may be connected so as to actuate the pivoted arm 5| and at the same time selectively and definitely determine the positions the arm and any attached mechanism shall assume at the will oi' theoperator. A modification of Fig. l is shown in Fig. 2. In this the piston rod 52 may have threads formed around it to serve as a toothed rack so as to actuate a pinion 53. The shaft of this pinion may have an arm 54 attached to it and on the outer end of this arm a link 55, similar to the link 50 of Fig. 1 may be attached.

'Ihe cylinder 45 is connected to the opening I5 of the valve casing and the cylinder 4S is similarly connected to the opening I1 of the same casing. The valve`casing consists of a tube I that is closed at both ends by screw lcaps II. 'I'hese caps have a conical recess on their inner faces in which sectional packings I8 are seated A spindle or shaft 4 passes through the caps or heads and the packings I8 loosely. At the right hand end of Fig. 9 the shaft 4 has secured thereon a sleeve 5 which throughgrooves in its cylindrical surface defines the different changes of the shaft 4, lengthwise and rotarily.

50 The sleeve 5 is pinned to the shaft 4 but it has endwise and rotative movement in the upstanding projection 3 of the base 2 on which the casing I is secured by screws I2 that pass into the threaded heads I I.

The shaft 4 is moved lengthwise by a rocking segment 8 that is tiltable on its pivot as shown by dotted lines on Fig. 9. 'I'he teeth 1 of the segment engage the teeth 3 of an incomplete pinion 8. 'I'his pinion is secured to the shaft 4 so as to rock it around its axis as the toothed pinion 6 is moved. It has a projecting flange on each face between which the segment is positioned and because of these flanges the shaft, with its pinned on valve is moved endwise as the segment is tilted to the right or the left.

'Ihe sleeve 5 has a lengthwise groove 31. From this groove a short circumferential grooveA 40 descends and two similar grooves, one to the left 38 and one 39 to the right of the groove 40 ascend. These grooves comprise the means for controlling the various positions oi' the shaft 4 and its l attached valve. At the end of each one of the grooves 31-49 inclusive there is a deeper depression 4 I. A similar depression is also formed at the intersection of the grooves 31 and 40. These deaisaesa pressions in cooperation with a ball 42 under pressure oi' the spring 43 serve to definitely denne the neutral or central position of the sleeve. The extreme positions are determined by the depression 4I at the end of the groove 4U, depressions 4I at the ends of the groove 31 and similar depressions at the ends of the .grooves 38 and 39. A screw 44 permits a change of tension oi.' the spring 43. The extremities of the grooves 38, 39 and 40 correspond to the arc of the pinion Srwhich contains the teeth 9 that Intermesh with the teeth 1 of the segment 8 as the segment is rocked by means of the handle I 0.

The manipulating features having been referred to, the structure of the valve itself and its relation to the casing I will now be described. It has a reduced diameter I9 where it is pinned The two ends of the valve body are substantial duplicates of each other. At each end of the reduced diameter full diameter shoulders are formed. At the left end an enlargement 20 and at the right hand end an enlargement 2|. The enlargements 20 and 2| at one side of the valve axis have openings 33 and 34 which lead respectively to the bores 25 and 21. These bores besides affording passageways for the air also provide space for the compression springs 28 at the-left hand end and 29 at the right end.

Between the enlargements 20 and 2| and the respective ends of the valve body it is flattened as shown in Figs. 18 and 19 in order to forma clear space leading to the exhaust openings, I4 at the left end and I5 at the right end. At right angles -to these flattened portions closures are inserted in recesses, at the lei't end closure 22 and at the Awright end closure 23. Both of these closures cooperate with the respective casing exhaust openings I4 and I5. Diametrically opposite the closures 22 and 23, smaller sized closures are placed in similar recesses, 24 at the left end and 25 at the right hand end. 'I'hese smaller closures cooperate respectively with the left hand cylinder opening I5 and the right hand opening I1. The opening I6 is connected to the cylinder 45 and the opening I1 is connected to the cylinder 45. An air inlet I3 through the casing communicates with the portion of the inside of the casing that surrounds the reduced diameter I9 of the valve body. Openings 32 connect the bores 28 and 21 out from the flattened ends. (See Figs. 14 and 16.)

In order that the valve may be balanced I provide miniature openings 30 which lead from the reduced diameter I9 to the bores 28 and 21. Air entering the openings 30 balances the valve body at its ends. The closures 22, 23, 24 and 25 are also balanced by'reason of air pressure on their under sides, through openings 3| (Fig. 20). In order that the closures 22-25 inclusive will be held in alignment for free action they are provided with square projections which are seated in corresponding recesses. The openings 3| only admit pressure at the outer ends of the closures and the equalizing pressure for the inner ends is secured through openings 36 in the projections 35 Figs. 2l and 22. These openings lead to fourway openings 36 formed where the projections join the body of the closures.

The reason for the use of the parts 22-23 and 24-25 in Fig. 13 is to have a large external bearing surface, in contrast to the relatively small area of the square portion 34 shown in Figs. 21 and 22. The parts 24-25 of Fig. 13 are the :taller and diierent parts shown in Figs. 22 and 'I'he operation of my four-way valve is simple.

` It is quite positive in meresuns it attains. when the valve is in the central or neutral endwise position shown in Figs. 3 and 11 and at the central rocking position air only passes through the opening I3 into the space around the reduced Adiameter I5`but as the outlets I6 and I1 are closed by,.the enlargements 20 and 2I the air cannot escape, hence the pistons 41 are quiescent and the mechanism attached to the pistons 48 or l2 remainsinactive. f y

vIn the central' position, `circumferentially, the

valve may be-m'ov'ed endwise, :to the right against 'the vernnpre'ssion `offthe'spring4 29 to its extreme E'wpositionasshown inrigs.1 4 and 13 when ,air win This relationship;

.through the openingv kI 1,v to the cylinder 46 behind its piston '4.1 but airyirillnot exhaust from behind` the other :pistoni 41' vvin `cylinder 4l through the casingl opening IGjand the exhaust outlet I4. l A is permittedfby the l central groove II`,.11ig.f23.` 1 'f f When the valveis retained 'inthe same rotary positionv but is movedfto its extreme leftfend position against the spring I`28"the action `in the cyl-` inders is simply reversed.v j'The cylinder 45 will nowl receive air through theopeningllA and the pipe connections therebetween' and-the ycylinder 44 will'not be'exhausting'through the connections to the opening I1 and the exhaust port-I5. This position is determined by the groove 21, Fig. 23.

If the valve is-to be rocked'upward from' the groove 31 in the sleeve 5 itcan be done only when it is in its extreme position vat either end o! the casing. This is permitted by the grooves 3| and '39, Fig. 23. vIf `moved to the extreme right shown in Figs. 5 land 14 cylinder 45 may exhaust through openings II andl I4 butI the cylinder 40 may receive air from 4I3 and I1.

In case the valve is rocked upward when it is in its extreme position to theleit, Fig. 'l as determined by the groove 39 the cylinder 45 is receiving air and cylinder 48 is exhausting. The next rocking'positionis downward, determined by the groove 48. It must first be brought central to the positiondetermined by the depression 4I of the sleeve l, Fig. 23 when the downward rocking may take place and the valve will assume the position shown in Fig. -8 when both cylinders will he exhausting, cylinder 45 throughv openings I6 to 3l and the bore 26 and the exhaust opening I4, and cylinder 4l through openings I1 to the other bore 21 and theexhaust opening I5.

When compressed air is first admitted to one cylinder the two pistons are moved so that one is moving outward while the other is moving inward and the latter is compressing the free air in its cylinder and the movement of the pistons will continue until the pressure in both cylinders is the same and any mechanism that is actuated by the movements of the piston will be at rest. held positively against further movement so long as the valve remains in this position. The pressure used may vary widelyl between high and low as desired.

What I yclaim is:

i. A four-way balanced valve comprising a unitary body having an annular reduced diameter about midway of its length and a central bore 10 extending inward from each end terminating adjacent the reduced diameter, full diameter shoulders ateach end of the reduced diameter,

flattened ends of the valve between the shoulders and the valve ends having vopenings communicating with the central bores, a casing having openings in its walls for the valve, closed ends of the casing, a stem to which the valve is attached movable through the casing ends, and means external of the casing for rocking the stem variably and variably moving it endwise as desired.

2. A casing having removable ends, a valve v-stem'in the casing, a multiported valve onthe stem, a compression spring on the stem at each end of the valve abutting the removable ends, a multi-srooved sleeve on an extension oi the stem external of the casing, said sleeve having axial and circumferentially connected surface grooves, means 'for supporting the stem adjacent the sleeve, and means associated with the sleeve for ,predeterminedly positioning the valve lengthwise of the casing and rocking it on its axis as desired to conform to the selected parts of the casing.

3. A positive control for mechanical devices, which comprises a pair of cylinders, having a piston in each cylinder, a rod in common to both pistons, and connections from the ,red to any desired mechanical device, and vmeans external of .the cylinders for positively holding the selected device at a minimum lntermediateor maximum speed of movement as desired `'which means include a unitary valye on'a single stem, a casing for the valve, closed ends of the casing; a reduced diameter center of the valve pinned to the stem,

a sprinfbn the stemin a bore of the valve between a .closed end and the pinned center,l a similar spring in a similar bore of the valve between such centerl and the other closed end. enlarged diameter portions adjacent .the center fittingin the'bore ot the casing, extensions adjacent the enlarged diameters having discontinuous circumferences, ports in the enlarged diameters leading to valve bores, separate valved ports in the extensions also leading to the valve bores, cooperating ports in the casing, and means on the stem external oi' the casing for deilning various endwise and rotary positions of the valve in relation to position 4of coordinate ports in the valve and the casing.

, JOHN EVANS. 

